Wailing Souls – Jah Jah Give Us Life To Live (1978)

“In 1971, JoJo Hookim and his brother Ernest entered the music business. The siblings had no previous experience in the industry, and thus, it took several years for them to really have any impact. By 1976, however, their roots sound would rule the island. It was the creation of the house band the Revolutionaries that helped the label reach these heights, the band driven by the phenomenal rhythms of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare who were now paired regularly for the first time. ‘Jah Jah Give Us Life’ epitomizes the Channel One sound. The arrangement is dense but the sound so clean one can easily distinguish every instrument, from the pretty keyboard flourishes to the sultry bass line, even as the nyahbinghi-flavored percussion patter powerfully underneath. But this is roots with a kick, and instead of the usual hypnotic atmosphere, there’s an up-tempo swing to it all that defines the rockers style. It’s the perfect accompaniment for the Wailing Souls, as they struggle to stay awake to meet the rising sun, so they can offer up their thanks to Jah. Most roots groups deliver up their devotional songs with reverence, but the Souls instead offer theirs with an unquenchable spirit. Life, Jah’s greatest gift, courses through their performance and across the Revolutionaries’ rhythm.”allmusic